中西跨文化交际课程情景案例分析

Language and Culture in CommunicationTheory Communication is something we do every day. It takes place so naturally that we simply fail to notice it until it hiccups or breaks down. Though it is commonplace, it is no exaggeration to say that communication is life and life is communication.1.When you join a social gathering, you must be aware of rules and procedures that govern the way things are going to proceed. There is a technical term for such rules and procedures—schema.2. Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely value—sensitive. One of the distinctive features of Chinese politeness is self—denigration and other—elevation.Case 1:Litz is a professor of cross—cultural communication in a university in Finland. She invited her Chinese students home for an evening party.The schema from Litz’s point of view includes the following:1. Giving invitation: by phone / by mail2. Prepare everything before the arrival of guests3. Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats / introduce guests / offer them drinks / make them comfortable4. Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert5. Post dinner activities: chat / play music / offer more drinks6. Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good nightLitz’s evening party was not very successful, because she was upset by one of her guests. Here was the initial conversation between Litz and Lin:Litz: (opens the door) Oh, Lin, how nice you could come!Lin: It’s not difficult to find your house.Litz: Come on in.Lin: (comes in)Litz: Can I take your coat?Lin: No, thanks.Litz: Ok, this way please.Lin: (take off her coat and hangs it)Analysis: Litz was hurt because Lin did not let her hang her coat. Litz’s offering to hang Lin’s coat is one of Litz’s ways (it’s on Litz’s schema). On Lin’s side, she thought that Litz was her supervisor and that it was inappropriate to let her supervisor hang her coat. Here we have an instance of one action attached with different cultural values.Case 2:Finding an Interested BuyerGeorage Hall was in Beijing attending a trade fair and looking for an opportunity to do business in China. He had been very successful in his business dealings in the US and prided himself on his ability “to get things moving.” His first day was going well .He looked around at the displays of sporting equipment to get some idea ofwhom he might approach. He was sure that his products, tennis rackets with an unusual new design, would arouse some interests. On the second day he approached the company which he felt would be most responsive to his products. He introduced himself to the general, a Mr. Li. Since he had read that Chinese find getting down to business immediately too abrupt and rude, he began a casual conversation, eventually leading up to the topic of his products and suggesting how Mr. Li’s company might benefit from using them. George then suggested that he could arrange to get together with Mr. Li and provide more specifics and documentation on his products.Mr. Li responded in fairly good English,” That would be interesting.”Knowing that he had only a few days left in Beijing, George wanted to nail down a time,” When can we meet?” asked George.“Ah. This week is very busy,” r eplied Mr. Li.“It sure is,” said George,” How about 10 o’clock? Meet you here.”“Tomorrow at 10 o’clock?” asked Mr. Li thoughtfully.“Right,” said George, “I’ll see you then?”“Hmm, yes; why don’t you come by tomorrow,” was the reply.“OK,” responded George,” It was nice meeting you.”The next day at 10 o’clock he approached Mr. Li’s company’s exhibit only to find that Mr. Li had some important business and was not able to meet with George. He called back later in the day and was told that Mr. Li was not available.先生不仅没有准时接见预约的客户，甚至放了他“鸽子”。

Unit 1 Language and Culture in CommunicationTheory Communication is something we do every day. It takes place so naturally that we simply fail to notice it until it hiccups or breaks down. Though it is commonplace, it is no exaggeration to say that communication is life and life is communication.1.When you join a social gathering, you must be aware of rules and procedures that govern the way things are going to proceed. There isa technical term for such rules and procedures—schema.2. Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely value—sensitive. One of the distinctive features of Chinese politeness is self—denigration and other—elevation.Case 1: Litz is a professor of cross—cultural communication in a university in Finland. She invited her Chinese students home for an evening party.The schema from Litz’s point of view includes the following:1. Giving invitation: by phone / by mail2. Prepare everything before the arrival of guests3. Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats / introduce guests / offer them drinks / make them comfortable4. Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert5. Post dinner activities: chat / play music / offer more drinks6. Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good nightLitz’s evening party was not very successful, because she was upset by one of her guests. Here was the initial conversation between Litz and Lin:Litz: (opens the door) Oh, Lin, how nice you could come!Lin: It’s not difficult to find your house.Litz: Come on in.Lin: (comes in)Litz: Can I take your coat?Lin: No, thanks.Litz: Ok, this way please.Lin: (take off her coat and hangs it)Analysis: Litz was hurt because Lin did not let her hang her coat. Litz’s offering to hang Lin’s coat is one of Litz’s ways (it’s on Litz’s schema). On Lin’s side, she thought that Litz was her supervisor and that it was inappropriate to let her supervisor hang her coat. Here we have an instance of one action attached with different cultural values. Case 2:Finding an Interested BuyerGeorage Hall was in Beijing attending a trade fair and looking for anopportunity to do business in China. He had been very successful in his business dealings in the U S and prided himself on his ability “to get things moving.” His first day was going well .He looked around at the displays of sporting equipment to get some idea of whom he might approach. He was sure that his products, tennis rackets with an unusual new design, would arouse some interests. On the second day he approached the company which he felt would be most responsive to his products. He introduced himself to the general, a Mr. Li. Since he had read that Chinese find getting down to business immediately too abrupt and rude, he began a casual conversation, eventually leading up to the topic of his products and suggesting how Mr. Li’s company might benefit from using them. George then suggested that he could arrange to get together with Mr. Li and provide more specifics and documentation on his products.Mr. Li responded in fairly good English,” That would be interesting.”Knowing that he had only a few days left in Beijing, George wanted to nail down a time,” When can we meet?” asked George.“Ah.This week is very busy,” replied Mr. Li.“It sure is,” said George,” How about 10 o’clock? Meet you here.”“Tomorrow at 10 o’clock?” asked Mr. Li thoughtfully.“Right,” said George, “I’ll see you then?”“Hmm, yes; why don’t you come by tomorrow,” was the reply.“OK,” responded George,” It was nice meeting you.”The next day at 10 o’clock he approached Mr. Li’s company’s exhibit only to find that Mr. Li had some important business and was not able to meet with George. He called back later in the day and was told that Mr. Li was not available.Analysis: 英美人士做事情讲究守时。

Unit 1 Language and Culture in CommunicationTheory Communication is something we do every day、It takes place so naturally that we simply fail to notice it until it hiccups or breaks down、Though it is commonplace, it is no exaggeration to say that communication is life and life is communication、1、When you join a social gathering, you must be aware of rules and procedures that govern the way things are going to proceed、There is a technical term for such rules and procedures—schema、2、Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely value—sensitive、One of the distinctive features of Chinese politeness is self—denigration and other—elevation、Case 1:Litz is a professor of cross—cultural communication in a university in Finland、She invited her Chinese students home for an evening party、The schema from Litz’s point of view includes the following:1、Giving invitation: by phone / by mail2、Prepare everything before the arrival of guests3、Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats / introduce guests / offer them drinks / make them comfortable4、Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert5、Post dinner activities: chat / play music / offer more drinks6、Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good nightLitz’s evening party was not very successful, because she was upset by one of her guests、Here was the initial conversation between Litz and Lin:Litz: (opens the door) Oh, Lin, how nice you could come!Lin: It’s not difficult to find your house、Litz: Come on in、Lin: (comes in)Litz: Can I take your coat?Lin: No, thanks、Litz: Ok, this way please、Lin: (take off her coat and hangs it)Analysis: Litz was hurt because Lin did not let her hang her coat、Litz’s offering to hang Lin’s coat is one of Litz’s ways (it’s on Litz’s schema)、On Lin’s side, she thought that Litz was her supervisor and that it was inappropriate to let her supervisor hang her coat、Here we have an instance of one action attached with different cultural values、Case 2:Finding an Interested BuyerGeorage Hall was in Beijing attending a trade fair and looking for an opportunity to do business in China、He had been very successful in his business dealings in the US and prided himself on his ability “to get things moving、” His first day was goingwell 、He looked around at the displays of sporting equipment to get some idea of whom he might approach、He was sure that his products, tennis rackets with an unusual new design, would arouse some interests、On the second day he approached the company which he felt would be most responsive to his products、He introduced himself to the general, a Mr、Li、Since he had read that Chinese find getting down to business immediately too abrupt and rude, he began a casual conversation, eventually leading up to the topic of his products and suggesting how Mr、Li’s company might benefit from using them、George then suggested that he could arrange to get together with Mr、Li and provide more specifics and documentation on his products、Mr、Li responded in fairly good English,” That would be interesting、”Knowing that he had only a few days left in Beijing, George wanted to nail down a time,” When can we meet?” asked George、“Ah、This week is very bu sy,” replied Mr、Li、“It sure is,” said George,” How about 10 o’clock? Meet you here、”“Tomorrow at 10 o’clock?” asked Mr、Li thoughtfully、“Right,” said George, “I’ll see you then?”“Hmm, yes; why don’t you come by tomorrow,” was the reply、“OK,” responded George,” It was nice meeting you、”The next day at 10 o’clock he approached Mr、Li’s company’s exhibit only to find that Mr、Li had some important business and was not able to meet with George、He called back later in the day and was told that Mr、Li was not available、Analysis: 英美人士做事情讲究守时。

跨文化交际英语案例分析万能模板引言在全球化的趋势下，跨文化交际已成为日常生活和工作中的常态。

无论是国际贸易、跨国合作还是旅游交流，我们都会面临与不同文化背景的人进行交流和沟通的挑战。

特别是在学习和使用英语的过程中，我们需要了解不同文化对于语言使用和交际方式的影响。

本文将通过分析具体的跨文化交际案例，探讨英语学习者在不同文化背景下的沟通策略和技巧。

案例一：商务洽谈中的礼节差异A公司是一家美国跨国公司，打算与中国的B公司展开商务合作。

双方代表进行了一次面对面的商务洽谈。

在会议中，中国代表以客人的身份招待美国代表，并为其安排了一顿丰盛的中餐。

然而，美国代表主动将自己的商业计划一一介绍后，提出了一些具体的问题和要求。

此时，中国代表显然有些紧张和不悦，并没有直接回答问题，而是转移了话题，讲述了一些与商务无关的事情。

这种回应方式在美国文化中被视为不专业和不直接，可能会影响双方的合作关系。

在这个案例中，我们可以看出美国和中国在商务洽谈中的礼节差异。

美国文化注重直接、效率和专业性，而中国文化则更加注重人际关系和面子。

为了避免类似的情况发生，英语学习者可以采取以下策略： - 尊重和理解对方文化的特点，尽量适应对方的沟通方式； - 在交流过程中保持礼貌和尊重，不要过于直接或冷漠； - 尽量避免忽视对方分享的个人经历，可以采用开放式的问题引导对话，促进更深入的交流。

案例二：面试中的语言差异某公司招聘一名国际销售经理，面试环节中的英语口语能力成为了重要的考察点。

一位来自美国的面试官问了一道开放性问题：“你在此之前是如何处理一次跨国销售合作中的文化冲突的？”应聘者来自中国，他理解问题后，迅速开始介绍了自己曾经参与的一次错误的销售合作案例，强调通过学习和理解对方文化后，取得了成功。

然而，面试官希望应聘者更多地关注解决冲突的方法和技巧，而不是侧重于个人经历的叙述。

这使得应聘者在面试中失去了一部分分数。

这个案例揭示了中西文化在表达方式上的差异。

跨文化交际案例分析万能模板案例背景跨文化交际是指在不同文化背景下进行的交流和互动。

由于不同文化具有不同的价值观、信仰、习俗和行为规范，跨文化交际往往面临着挑战和困难。

本文将通过分析一个跨文化交际案例，探讨跨文化交际中常见的问题，并提供解决问题的方法，以此为参考，帮助人们更好地进行跨文化交际。

案例描述案例中，A是中国人，B是美国人。

他们是在一家国际公司工作的同事。

一天，在一个重要会议上，A提出了一个新的想法，但没有得到B的支持，甚至遭到了反对。

A感到困惑和失望，并对B的态度感到不解。

问题分析1.语言障碍：A和B来自不同的文化背景，使用不同的母语。

这可能导致他们在交流中出现理解的困难，甚至存在翻译误解的可能性。

2.价值观冲突：A和B来自具有不同价值观的文化，他们对问题的看法和解决方法可能存在差异。

这造成了他们在会议上的分歧。

3.社交礼节：A和B在社交礼节方面可能存在差异。

比如在会议上，B的反对可能是基于不同的文化背景下对表达意见的方式和场景的理解。

解决方法1.主动沟通：A和B应该积极主动地沟通，充分交流彼此的意见和想法。

他们可以约定一个合适的时间，面对面地沟通，以确保双方对对方的意思有清晰的理解。

2.尊重他人文化：A和B应该尊重彼此的文化差异。

他们可以通过学习对方的文化，了解他人的价值观和习俗，以更好地理解和包容对方的观点。

3.寻求共同利益：A和B可以寻找问题的共同利益，以此为基础来达成共识和解决分歧。

他们可以探讨对方的顾虑并提出解决方案，以达成双赢的结果。

4.适应交流方式：A和B可以适应对方的交流方式。

他们可以根据对方的习惯和文化特点，选择合适的表达方式和场景，以减少误解和冲突的可能性。

结论跨文化交际虽然存在挑战和困难，但通过主动沟通、尊重他人文化、寻求共同利益和适应交流方式等方式，我们可以更好地解决问题，建立跨文化交际的良好关系。

希望通过这个万能模板，能帮助更多人在跨文化交际中更加成功和顺利。

跨文化交际案例及分析（精选5篇）跨文化交际案例及分析范文第1篇[关键词]跨文化外语教学案例分析大同学跨文化交际本领一、跨文化英语教学现状分析就我国的外语教学现状而言，高一虹（2023:28）指出，现有的跨文化交际本领培育模式都有肯定局限。

行为中心的培育模式，只关注交际行为本身和交际结果，执着于实在目标，但在我们一般性的大学教育中，很难确定同学将来可能与之打交道的目的文化，因此也很难像对特定出国人员进行培训那样对同学实施有较强针对性的训练；学问中心模式，则集中于认知层面，重要向同学灌输有关文化学问，但难以让同学产生切身体验，而且还不适用于处理文化的多样性和动态性，传授文化学问简单变成“定型”（stereotype），反而不利于跨文化交际本领向较高层次进展。

另外，我们的教学大纲设计和教学实践往往缺乏充足的开放性，没有给同学较多面对问题和独立解决问题的机会。

因此在跨文化外语教学中，需要依据跨文化交际本领框架，提高同学使用语言的正确性的同时还要帮忙其提高言语行为的得体性。

在近年来对跨文化交际本领框架的浩繁讨论中，笔者认为杨盈、庄恩平（2023）提出的由全球意识、文化调适、文化学问和交际实践四大本领系统构成的外语教学跨文化交际本领框架，符合教学大纲和教学实践的要求，具较强可行性。

二、案例分析在跨文化英语教学中的作用目前跨文化英语教学普遍采纳的方法重要包括背景学问导入、文化内涵探究、案例分析、角色扮演及情景仿照、实例搜索等。

案例分析教学中将不同文化背景的语言特色、风土人情、历史事件和现实冲突等素材呈现于同学面前，是跨文化学问、意识、思维和交际本领的综合训练过程，能帮忙同学达到学习外语语言技能与培育跨文化交际本领有机结合的目的。

在谈到案例教学法时，陈建平（2023）强调:“案例是为适应特定的教学目的而编写的”，教学过程重要是“同学之间的讨论和辩论”，教学目的重要是“培育同学的本领”。

上述特点，使案例教学能很好适用于跨文化外语教学，它对培育本领的重视大过取得学问，成为语言文化学问向跨文化本领变化的有效途径。

跨文化交际案例分析随着全球化的发展，跨文化交际变得越来越重要。

无论是在商务领域还是在社交领域，人们都需要与不同文化背景的人交流和合作。

然而，由于文化差异的存在，跨文化交际可能会面临一些挑战。

本文将通过分析一个真实的跨文化交际案例，探讨其中的问题和解决方案。

案例背景：John是一个美国的销售人员，他的公司决定进军中国市场。

为了开拓新业务，John前往中国与一家当地的公司进行商务谈判。

然而，由于两国文化的差异，John在交流过程中遇到了一些问题。

问题一：礼节和尊重在中国文化中，尊重和礼节非常重要。

然而，John在交谈中没有注意到这一点，只关注自己的目标和利益。

他没有在一开始表示感谢和尊重，也没有提到他是代表公司的，并且在对方发言时经常打断。

解决方案：在跨文化交际中，了解对方文化的礼节和习惯非常重要。

John应该在交谈开始时表示感谢和尊重，并明确表明自己的身份和目标。

他还应该尊重对方发言的权利，避免打断对方。

问题二：语言和沟通John并不懂中文，而对方的英文水平也有限。

在交流中，他们经常遇到理解和沟通的困难。

John使用了一些俚语和口语，对方很难理解。

另外，他们还遇到了一些语言使用上的误解和误译。

解决方案：语言是跨文化交际的重要因素之一。

在这种情况下，John可以使用简单的英语词汇和句子，避免使用俚语和口语。

另外，使用简洁明了的语言，避免使用复杂的词汇和长句子，有助于加强理解和沟通。

问题三：谈判风格和冲突处理中国和美国在谈判风格和冲突处理上存在一些差异。

John采取了直接和坦率的方式，直接表达自己的意见，并试图争取自己的利益。

然而，在中国文化中，人们通常更加注重保持面子和和谐，避免直接表达意见和产生冲突。

解决方案：了解对方的谈判风格和冲突处理方式对于跨文化交际至关重要。

John可以采取一种更加温和和委婉的方式，尊重对方的面子和和谐。

他可以提出一些建议，并鼓励对方发表意见，以达到双方都满意的结果。

总结：通过上述案例的分析，我们可以看到在跨文化交际中可能会出现的一些问题，以及解决这些问题的方法。

《跨文化交际学概论》第七章五、宴社会交往请招待 p132Case One: Setting Rules for a Gues-American Hospitality 案例：When Zhang Tao traveled in America, he lived in the home of his American friend, Bill. Once after he had traveled back, he found Bill was in a bad mood. When he asked what the problem was, Bill told Zhang Tao that his son Adam got furious about the noise Zhang made when walking upstairs and also because he was using too much water in the solar powered shower and Adam had to have his shower in cold water. Bill told Zhang Tao that he should walk more softly in future, and have a fast shower to save water. Zhang Tao felt uneasy. How could the host set such rules for his guest!Question: Why did Zhang Tao feel uneasy?分析：1)In China, when people host someone, they put the guest in the place of honor to show hospitality. They try to take care of the guest ，and try to make the guest feel comfortable and at ease.2)In America, people tend to give the guest great freedom and treat a guest more casually, naturally and truthfully.3)Zhang Tao knew he was a guest, and thought in terms of Chinese expectations of hospitality. He thought Bill should treat him courteously instead of setting rules for him.4)Since Zhang Tao lived in American surroundings, he should have known about the customs there sooner.Case Two:案例：Lin had traveled 20 hours from Beijing to New York. He needed a good meal. His American friend, Mike, met him. But Mike only offered him a plate of roasted chicken and a glass of orange juice. Lin was used to having a main course, and asked Mike if he had any rice. Mike said he only had fried noodles, and Lin had to make do with it. Though Lin knew Americans didn ' t care very much about what food they ate, he still felt surprised because he had taken Mike to the most famous duck restaurant in Beijing -- Quanjude -- when he arrived in Beijing.Question: Why did Lin feel surprised? Offer some advice to him about adjusting to his new environment in America.分析：1)0n the topic of hospitality, the Chinese stress on warmth and demonstrating friendship. They take the guest to a famous or luxurious restaurant to have a very good (expensive) meal to show their hospitality. And the Chinese are used to having a big meal. Themore dishes they put out，the greater the warmth and friendship they show.2)In western countries, people stress on freedom. They give the guest great freedom to choose their own foods. And westerners tend to have only one main course and some juice or desser，t which is viewed as casual in the eyes of the Chinese.3)Lin lived in American surroundings and should have adjusted himself quickly to the new world (lifestyle). He should have known the custom there first, and felt more at ease in Mike om'es. hCase Three: Equality or Hospitality for Table Manners 案例：Lin Hua has accompanied an American delegation to visit China. They have experienced the hospitality of the Chinese people. After returning to America, Linhua once visited them. They were so glad to meet again. Linhua offered to host the meal, but they refused. They ordered their own dish, and Linhua ordered her own. When footing the bill, they only paid their part，and no one wanted to pay for Linhua. Linhua found them so inhospitable, though she knew the Americans would usually pay for their own food.Question: Why did Linhua find them inhospitable? 分析：1)In China, to show hospitality, people tend to host the meal. And if they cannot do this, they at least will struggle to pay for the guest.2)In America, people tend to pay for themselves to show equality and independence.3)Linhua knows this custom, but from a Chinese point of view, she still finds this hard to accept, and feels it a little inhospitable.Case Four: 案例：I have an American friend. I have invited him several times, and at long last he invited me to his home one day. He told me to get there at 3 p m. I thought we could chat and have a meal together. I gave him a Chinese calendara, woman'sscarf and a bottle of Chinese white wine. He only took out a dish of nuts, a plate of bread and a bottle of wine. After two hours ' chaIt,found there was no hint of a meal and said good-bye to him. He only gave me a box of chocolate as a present for the New Year. After I got home, I found the box already been opened. I was very surprised, Question: What surprised me?分析：1)In China, a visit to home always includes a meal. And the guest always brings a relatively expensive present to the host. And the present should be well wrapped or untouched.2)In the west, a visit to home only means a meeting, not necessarily including a meal. And the present is treated not as importantly as it is in China.3)I acted in a way that was based on Chinese customs, so I felt the American way was very interesting (unusual).Case Five: Way of Entertaining Guests in China ------- Drink more and more案例：Tom, an American, went to a Chinese home for the first time. He was offered some tea. Just when the first cup was about to finish, more tea was added. He drank the second cup. Then the cup was filled the third time. Then he drank it, then ? until he was quite full. Tom was totally confused by the way of entertaining.Question: Why was Tom totally confused?分析：1)Traditional Chinese custom requires that during the course of entertaining, the host has to always pour more wine or tea to the gues'st glass or cup, and always adds more food to the guest' s plate or bowl without asking whether it ' s wanted.2)Chinese guests know how to respond to this type of hospitality. They simply leave the wine, tea, or food in the container and stop having any more. But Tom, the American guest in the case didn ' t know this.3)He followed the politeness rule of his culture: it 's not good manners to leave food in one's own plate at a dinner table. Therefore, without any knowledge of the differences between the two cultures, an American guest would very likely suffer from either drinking or eating too much in such a situation.Case SixAs a foreign student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Keiko Ihara (Japanese)was on a strict budget. She had all her tuition and books paid for by scholarships and grants and until recently was comfortably housed in the dormitory. Wanting to live in the community rather than in the dormitory, she found a small apartment to share with a friend. Her college friends, knowing of her situation, offered to round up some of the necessary items for apartment living. Keiko politely declined, saying she could manage. Wanting to help out her friends found some old but still usable household appliances and furniture. Mary had an old desk that was in hergarage. Ed had some chairs from his uncle, and Joe and Marion had a few extra dishes. They cheerfully brought them over one day. Keiko seemed very embarrassed,but gracefully accepted them, sincerely and profusely thanked them.The following week they were each presented with a gift from Keiko. Mary got an ornate jewelry box, Ed a volume of woodcuts by a famous Japanese artist, and Joe and Marion a beautiful Japanesevase, all of which were of considerable worth and value, much more than the old things they had donated to her. They all protested that she could not afford to give such elaborate gifts; they really expected nothing as the household items were not really being used and they would rather have her use them. Keiko, however, insisted that they take the gifts. In the end, they accepted the gifts, although they all felt uncomfortable as they knew she was really sacrificing to give them.Questions:1.What do you think of Keiko insisting on giving valuable gifts to her college friends?2.Why did Keiko ' s friends feel very uncomfortable when they received valuable gifts in return?分析：Keiko insists on giving valuable gifts to her college friends, because in countries like Japan, exchanging gifts is a strongly rooted social tradition. Should you receive a gift, and don't have one to offer in return, you will probably create a crisis. If not as serious as a crisis, one who doesn't offer a gift in return may be considered rude or impolite. Therefore, in Japan, gifts are a symbolic way to show appreciation, respect, gratitude and further relationship.Keiko obviously has taken those used items from Mary, Ed and Marion as gifts, for she probably doesn't know that Americans frequently donate their used household items to church or to the community. Mary, Ed and Marion would never consider those used household items given to Keiko as gifts. No wonder they felt very uncomfortable when they received valuable gifts in return.Case SevenSelma, who is from the US, is in a student exchange program in Indonesia. One day, she was asked to attend a birthday party and she was delighted, for she was curious to know what an Indonesian birthday party was like. To her surprise, she was the only one that dressed in typically Western clothes. Although she had no strong reason to become uneasy, her uneasy feeling prevailed as the party was going on. To make herself feel better, she went to the food table and began to help herself. But, upon leaving the table, she tripped on the leg of a chair and spilled her drink on the floor. One of the girls stooped down to mop up the spill and everyone else laughed out loud. Selma, uncertain what to do next, quietly moved out of her way with her head lowered in shame.Questions:3.What functions does laughing serve in similar situations in China?4.What should we do to help ourselves or other people out of embarrassment caused by culturaldifferences in laughing?分析：Just like smile, laughing does not always serve the same function in different cultures. Interestingly, for us Chinese, laughing often has a special function on some tense social occasions. People may laugh to release the tension or embarrassment, to express their concern about you, their intention to put you atease or to help you come out of the embarrassment. In this case, the people there were actually wishing to laugh with the American rather than laugh at her. Their laughing seemed to convey a number of messages: don ‘t take it so seriously; laugh it off, it things‘ s nothing; such can happen to any of us, etc. Unfortunately the American was unaware of this. She thought they were laughing at her, which made her feel more badly and angry, for in her culture laughing on such an occasion would be interpreted as an insulting response, humiliating and negative.。

Case One About Table Manners案例:Sarah and Daniel are a young American couple who are teaching English at Zhejiang University。

They are leaning Chinese and enjoy their new lives。

They have been eager to get to know Chinese people better so were pleased wh en Chen’ Li, their new Chinese colleague invited them to her home for dinner at one weekend: When Sarah:and Dahiel arrived，Chen Li introduced them to her husband Wang Bing，asked them to sit down at a table containing 8 plates of various cold dishes served them tea and then disappeared with her husband into the kitchen. Sarah offered to help in the kitchen but Chen Li said she didn't need any help。

A half-hour later she came back and sat down and the three began to eat. Wang Bing came in from time to time to put several hot dishes on the table. Most of the food was wonderful and there was much more than Sarah and Daniel could eat。